This is my rendition of a matchbook cover of the "Islander" restaurant in Los Angeles (a BIG "thank you" to tiki kate's collection on Critiki). It was all painted by hand, whew! but what enjoyable therapy! I would appreciate all honest "critiques" and advice on improvements. Mahalo all!

Thanks Mad Dog. It was a paint just made for fabrics. I made a sample tiki on another shirt and put it through the "wash" & "dry" test and it came out just fine! I had to buy some special brushes though and there was a learning curve, but I used to love art in High School and always wanted to be a commercial artist, but hey-- I guess we can all dream right? Tiki has definitely became my "thing" and if I start to sell some later, I really need to figure out how to make it quicker and better. (hire some tiki elves maybe??) lol..

Mahalo Wendy for your advice on the shirt. I will definitely do that when I wash them from now on. I was able to talk to a guy that used these paints on shirts and he said his has still lasted for over 12 years! I just purchased several more colors today and I'm stoked about doing some more renditions of vintage art and mix in some of my own too. I am very honored to have you and Mad Dog post on my thread. It means alot to a newbie like myself. Aloha all!..

Clintiki

I have O.T.D: Obsessive.Tiki.Disorder! _________________I have O.T.D: Obsessive.Tiki.Disorder!... :)

Very cool Clintiki! I dig it. In addition to Wendy's sage advice, I am not sure what kind of paint you used but in general on the first wash it is best to put in a capful of white vinegar. This helps the longevity of airbrushed shirts, and silk screen shirts, but don't ask me why exactly and it may or may not apply to your type of paint, but I am sure it couldn't hurt.

I feel like the guys on wayne's world: "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!". lol. I am very thankful for your compliment and feel humbled by it. I will be crankin' out more here this week and I'll post them for you all. I looked at your website. Very impressive! You inspire me bro!

MAHALO ALL!

Clintiki

I have O.T.D: Obsessive.Tiki.Disorder!..._________________I have O.T.D: Obsessive.Tiki.Disorder!... :)

Mahalo Lori. I appreciate the compliment and the advice. I too have heard that ironing it will help set the "paint" in better. I'm gonna do it for double good measure! Here's a new hand painted tiki t shirt I just finished. It's the front menu of Luau 400 that was located in New York City. Also a little tiki guy I painted just for fun. Enjoy & may the Tiki Gods bless you all!..

Mahalo again Mike. I'm having lots of fun doing this! Just listen to some exotica (quiet village, one of my faves!) and start brushin' down the paint! Ahhh, TiKi LiFe!
_________________I have O.T.D: Obsessive.Tiki.Disorder!... :)

Another success. That's one of my favorite mugs and it makes a terrific shirt. Have you connected with other TC'ers in your area? It's fun to hang out with people who like the same things. We have a great group here in Sacramento. In southern California, well that can't be beat for tiki people. Wendy
_________________

clintiki - These examples so far are looking great. Knowing they're hand-painted makes them special. Keep up the fabric/medium experimentation and don't worry too much about the longevity aspect, nothing lasts forever, y'know? If you want long lasting, make them outta concrete - ooh I see you do work in concrete - please post some of your examples!!!
_________________TikiG
tiki since '67!

Again, MAHALO to all for your encouraging words. You are all so very kind-- it truly keeps me delving deeper into my creativity! I just went to a specialty shop for what I'm doing and got all the knowledge needed to make those shirts last quite a while. I will be making and posting more here soon. I'm a transplant here in Evansville, Indiana (a medium-sized post industrial town) with no network or tiki "buddies" to hang with Wendy. But, I hope to go to the Tiki Kon in Portland, Oregon this year to meet up with fellow tiki lovers and finally indulge myself in some badly needed "R&R". Yes, TikiG, I do concrete work too! I've got a 3 ft. tall tiki I'm building on my backyard patio right now. I will post pics as soon as it's done. Actually, I do decorative concrete overlay as my full time business. I make ugly pooldecks, driveways, and even kitchen/bathroom countertops look like stone. I enjoy it and at least it pays the bills! I really hope to get more and more into tiki art and make some long lasting friendships here on the boards. Aloha for now all!

Clintiki

I have O.T.D: Obsessive.Tiki.Disorder!.._________________I have O.T.D: Obsessive.Tiki.Disorder!... :)